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New York: Let the vice-presidential sweepstakes begin.
Senator Barack Obama, who is within reach of the Democratic nomination, is reported to be quietly starting his search, tapping the same party veteran to lead the vetting process who ran the search for John F. Kerry four years ago.
Senator John McCain, who has already clinched the Republican nomination, will be socialising at his Arizona ranch starting yesterday with at least three possible running mates, including former rival Mitt Romney.
Their picks will be closely scrutinised - both for how they could affect their electoral prospects and what they say about the nominees themselves.
"The vice presidential pick is really the first presidential-level decision that a candidate makes," said Chris Lehane, a Democratic strategist who was deeply involved in Al Gore's selection of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut as his running mate in 2000.
Lehane said nominees will consider whether a person would reinforce their key message, and would balance the ticket either geographically, on issues, or with constituencies.
But, he said, "far and away the transcendent criteria" should be "someone you believe can do the job on a moment's notice if called upon".
Democratic officials told the Associated Press that Obama has enlisted former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson to begin vetting potential vice presidential picks. Johnson, a vice chairman of the Obama campaign, did the same in 2004 for Kerry, who picked former senator John Edwards, and in 1984 for Walter Mondale, who selected Geraldine Ferraro.
Obama is within 61 delegates of clinching the nomination, but is keeping the vetting process under wraps because Hillary Clinton is still steadfastly running against him.
"They have to be exceedingly careful about looking presumptuous in this process. Unifying the party will be predicated on how the winner wins, how the loser loses," said Lehane, who is not working for a campaign but supports Clinton.
Obama, however, has to balance that with having enough time to fully vet possible picks, said Lehane, citing disastrous last-minute selections through history.
On Thursday, Obama refused to acknowledge Johnson's role. "I am not commenting on vice presidential matters because I have not won this nomination," he told the AP.
The Illinois senator has adamantly refused to discuss who might be on his short list. But names bandied about include Governors Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, and Tim Kaine of Virginia, and Senators Chris Dodd of Connecticut, Joe Biden of Delaware, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, and Jim Webb of Virginia. And, of course, there has been constant discussion about the possible "dream ticket" of Obama and Clinton.
On the Republican side, Lehane mentioned Senator Olympia Snowe and former senator Bill Cohen, both of Maine, along with Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Governors Charlie Crist of Florida and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana are also scheduled to attend what McCain's aides insist will be a social gathering.
Romney is on many a short list for McCain's running mate, given his economic expertise and support among conservatives.
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| This article on the national political campaigns in the United States is from The New York Times. It was specially selected and prepared by the editors of The New York Times News Service. |
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